Antique Natural HistoryOriginal plates from the naturalists' books, 1600s to 1900s
Le Physale Cylindrique (Sperm Whale), Hand-Colored Engraving, 1840
Le Physale Cylindrique (Sperm Whale), Hand-Colored Engraving, 1840, view 2

Close-ups

Le Physale Cylindrique (Sperm Whale), Hand-Colored Engraving, 1840, close-up 1Le Physale Cylindrique (Sperm Whale), Hand-Colored Engraving, 1840, close-up 2Le Physale Cylindrique (Sperm Whale), Hand-Colored Engraving, 1840, close-up 3Le Physale Cylindrique (Sperm Whale), Hand-Colored Engraving, 1840, close-up 4Le Physale Cylindrique (Sperm Whale), Hand-Colored Engraving, 1840, close-up 5Le Physale Cylindrique (Sperm Whale), Hand-Colored Engraving, 1840, close-up 6

Framed and on the wall

Le Physale Cylindrique (Sperm Whale), Hand-Colored Engraving, 1840, shown framedLe Physale Cylindrique (Sperm Whale), Hand-Colored Engraving, 1840, shown framed on a wallLe Physale Cylindrique (Sperm Whale), Hand-Colored Engraving, 1840, shown framed in a room

Frame and rooms are illustrations of how the print could look; the description says what is included.

Le Physale Cylindrique (Sperm Whale), Hand-Colored Engraving, 1840

$295 (£220, €260)

Period original, not a reproduction.

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Shipped from the Netherlands, flat, insured and tracked, worldwide. Returns accepted within 14 days.

Date
1840
Size
6.5 × 10.1 in (16.5 × 25.6 cm)
Condition
Good. Light foxing, gentle age toning, and small binding traces along the upper edge. Overall very good with well-preserved contemporary coloring.
Period
Early 19th century
Section
Fish and shells
Reference
f_50810512

Le Physale Cylindrique (Sperm Whale), Hand-Colored Engraving, 1840

A remarkable nineteenth-century depiction of a stranded whale dominating a rocky shoreline, surrounded by curious onlookers and horse riders. The immense scale of the animal transforms the scene into a powerful meditation on nature's grandeur and mystery.

Designed by Édouard Traviès and engraved by Beyer, this work was published by Furne in Paris circa 1840 as part of an important natural history series. The restrained hand-coloring and detailed engraving showcase the refined craftsmanship of French printmaking during the period.

Presented and sold unframed. Framed images are for inspiration only and not always to scale.

Condition: Light foxing, gentle age toning, and small binding traces along the upper edge. Overall very good with well-preserved contemporary coloring.